How the Denver Broncos and their malleable QB can halt that Chiefs' reign.
Ex NFL team coach Phoebe Schecter serves as a football expert who also plays for Great Britain's national squad.
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Week six of the 2025 NFL season
Real-time updates features text commentary for the weekend matchups via multiple platforms, beginning with the Broncos-Jets clash at Tottenham (from 14:00 BST). Also, radio commentary can be heard on designated networks covering another key matchup (beginning at 9 PM BST).
We're in the sixth week of the football calendar and after last week's discussion regarding two top teams as a potential Super Bowl match-up, they both surrendered their perfect starts.
Notable during those contests was the amount of infractions both committed. The Eagles committed them at crucial times so they essentially beat themselves having led 17-3 entering the fourth period versus the Denver Broncos, who play in London this Sunday.
However it proved positive to see that Denver's QB Bo Nix managed to have that deficit before lead three successful possessions on three possessions during the final period, to win the game by four points.
Denver have the defensive player of the year with CB Pat Surtain II. They rank first in goal-line defense, whereas the Eagles lead the league in red zone offence, and Denver won that battle.
They executed the Eagles' number regarding disguised blitzes. They did not necessarily sending extra pass rushers but they might position two linebackers in the 'A' gap then drop them out and send a nickel off the edge.
At the start of the season, we said during a show that Denver could be the current year's dark horses. They ended last season strongly then excelled in continuing that momentum.
Are the Denver Broncos this year's dark horses?
New TE their tight end has stepped up significantly and new RB their rusher is a guy the team trusts. He's currently 5th league-wide in ground gains (over 400) and tied-fourth for rushing touchdowns (4).
I love that head coach Sean Payton has "RUN IT!" at the top on his call sheet.
That shows how the Broncos are a squad aiming to run first, because one can do a lot off the back of that. It reduces down the pass rush while maintains in favourable down and distances.
It's also helped QB the young passer, who came into the league as the 12th overall draft pick in the prior draft, throwing 29 touchdown passes – just behind Justin Herbert in rookie records (31 in 2020).
Josh Allen and Herbert possess powerful arms to pass all over, however they don't move in the same way as Nix. He has incredible arm talent, a unique trait, and he's so athletic.
His strengths include his movement, being able to throw while moving, as well as using different arm angles to make throws when he rolls out of the pocket, the bootlegs. He is able to throw precision throws over the middle and past defenders.
As a rookie QB, aged 25, he displays great composure in the pocket and is not bothered by the blitz. He aims to avoid a sack whenever possible and is able pass under pressure. He has sharp intelligence and is very decisive.
When you consistently rush it eats up the clock and forces the opponent to be on the field extended periods, and when you've got a mobile QB the defense has to defend the field downfield and horizontally. It can be exhausting.
The quarterback has bitten back at Payton on the sideline at times and I think the coach appreciates that fire, seeing him as such a competitor. I think it's exciting for the coach to have a rookie QB that is kind of like moldable clay. The coach can truly build something up how he desires to build it. I believe it's a unique opportunity for the coach.
Payton owns a championship and has surpassed a legend for career NFL wins (173 - tied 14th overall). He's seen everything. I think the success Denver are experiencing offensively is mostly due to his leadership, his schemes, his game sense – and the combination with the QB helps make him what he is.
There's no better a better guy in your ear, to help you through some of the tougher situations and build confidence.
I have faith in the Broncos' defense, in Bo Nix's tenacity and composure. But is the team good enough to go against an elite team at full strength? Since that wasn't a Super Bowl performance by the Eagles last Sunday.
Right now, it's unlikely the Broncos are elite. They're working better than most, which is a solid position to hold the AFC West. The key is to continue this trajectory.
They excel at leaning into their forte, which is running the ball, and this is precisely what they must do versus the New York Jets in London. It's going to be the JK Dobbins show, essentially.
New York have allowed 140 rushing yards each contest (sixth worst), five ground scores this season (in the bottom ten), and they are the only team without a win any game.
Ever since the NFL started recording takeaways in 1933, this team are the inaugural squad to be without a single takeaway in five outings, which is surprising considering that the head coach was previously a defensive coach at the Detroit Lions.
The Chiefs' QB stated the Chiefs are off to a poor start following Monday's defeat by the Jaguars.
After the upcoming matchup, Denver have a smooth-ish schedule up to their break (in week 12) - the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and the Raiders prior to the Chiefs.
Looking at the AFC West, the Chiefs are 2-3 and the Broncos are tied with the Chargers on 3-2 meaning they could challenge at leading the West.
It depends upon which form Kansas City shows up they meet because the Broncos {beat|def
